You know, the thread about Roman Iceland made me think of a notion that kicked around earlier. An Eskimo settlement of Iceland, with some later consequences.
I had the thought that a Dorset Inuit settlement of Iceland would do quite well. The climate is milder than Greenland, but the climate coping skills of the Inuit are still appropriate. Population increases.
(A relic, possibly refugee, Independence II culture mighgt do as well as the Dorset.)
However, the Irish monks arrive not too long after the Inuit do.
The Celtic Church embarks on a converting mission, and rather sucessfully. The Irish bring writing, christianity, domesticated animals and crops. (success of crops is more marginal).
The Inuit add survival skills to thrive in the environment, and numbers, as well as their own unique twists to culture and religon. Futher immigration from Ireland adds to the mix.
By the time the Norse arrive, in the old one ship at the time fashion, there is a vibrant hybrid population established in numbers. Probably organized around the Celtic Church, in as far as there is much organization.
I had the thought that a Dorset Inuit settlement of Iceland would do quite well. The climate is milder than Greenland, but the climate coping skills of the Inuit are still appropriate. Population increases.
(A relic, possibly refugee, Independence II culture mighgt do as well as the Dorset.)
However, the Irish monks arrive not too long after the Inuit do.
The Celtic Church embarks on a converting mission, and rather sucessfully. The Irish bring writing, christianity, domesticated animals and crops. (success of crops is more marginal).
The Inuit add survival skills to thrive in the environment, and numbers, as well as their own unique twists to culture and religon. Futher immigration from Ireland adds to the mix.
By the time the Norse arrive, in the old one ship at the time fashion, there is a vibrant hybrid population established in numbers. Probably organized around the Celtic Church, in as far as there is much organization.